MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | LET’S BUILD ON OUR STRENGTHS

Delaware brims with an abundance of talent, fueled by a passionate community dedicated to developing a thriving and resilient creative economy. Our creative talent is undeniable, but to unleash this sector’s full potential, we need to bridge a critical gap: accessible professional development.

Our CREATE Plan survey revealed a strong demand for training in business fundamentals among both creatives and organizations. The survey found that 61% of creatives and 76% of organizations are eager to enhance their skills in marketing, social media, and audience insights. Additionally, business management and fundraising were highlighted as areas needing improvement by 49% of creatives and 76% of organizations. Technology for creation and production also emerged as a key focus, with 48% of creatives and 50% of organizations expressing a desire to advance their knowledge in this domain. These insights underscore the importance of targeted training programs to empower the creative sector and bolster its contribution to the economy.

The good news is that our research also indicates that the infrastructure to bridge that gap already exists here in Delaware! The CREATE Plan, that includes input from 600+ Delawareans through surveys and focus groups, brought to light our creative economy’s greatest strengths, including:

Delaware’s diverse arts centers offer education, performances, and events, fostering public engagement and equitable access to creative opportunities.
Audiovisual and interactive media generates the highest direct output and employment out of all sectors in Delaware’s creative ecosystem.
Stakeholders report that the creative economy benefits from support organizations like the Delaware Arts Alliance, Delaware Division of the Arts, and Delaware Heritage Commission.
Delaware is rich in cultural and natural heritage, with many long-standing historical networks and institutions, and generates above-average employment despite a modest concentration of businesses.
Delaware’s many theaters provide year-round entertainment and access to major music events.

As you can see, the foundation is there, but we need to strengthen the ecosystem. With focused effort on building on our strengths and developing targeted training programs, we can empower both creatives and organizations, fostering a thriving creative ecosystem in Delaware. By addressing the identified needs for improved marketing, social media, audience insights, business management, fundraising, and technology for creation and production, we can equip our creative community with the essential tools to succeed. This holistic approach will not only enhance individual capabilities but also strengthen the overall infrastructure of the creative sector, driving economic growth and cultural enrichment in Delaware. Investing in these training initiatives will pave the way for a more resilient and dynamic creative economy, ensuring long-term prosperity and innovation.

To be among the first to learn about all of the CREATE Plan’s key findings which includes investing in and developing training and professional development opportunities for creatives, I invite you to join me at one of our upcoming launch events. With events planned for each county, there will be three opportunities to join us:

New Castle County Launch *At capacity

Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Delaware Contemporary, 200 S. Madison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801

Kent County Launch

Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village, 866 North Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901

Sussex County Launch

Date: Thursday, August 1, 2024
Time: 6:40-7pm
Location: Freeman Arts Pavilion, 31806 Lake View Drive, Selbyville, DE 19975

RSVP now to attend! Space is still available in Kent and Sussex: https://www.delawareartsalliance.org/CREATEPlanLaunch

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